Dingalan RHU was also cited for having outstanding newborn screening facilities.

It is the only one awarded in the province of Aurora for its outstanding implementation of newborn screening (NBS) program.

Dr. Brent Andrew Viray, Dingalan municipal health officer, said in a telephone interview that they met the target and were recognized by the Department of Health (DOH) regional office for their active role in helping the government in improving the health of Filipino children through the NBS and mass immunization, among others.

Viray said that the intensive campaign especially among parents as well as the strong support of their local government unit headed by Mayor Zenaida Padiernos is one of the key factors behind the success of the program.

Attaining a high coverage in any program like what we did in the NBS and mass immunization are difficult but with the team efforts, commitments and dedications to duty towards a true public health service, it can be done, he said.

Dingalan was also awarded for having zero malaria case and zero malaria death as a result of its intensive cleanup campaign.

Viray was also hailed as most outstanding doctor to the barrios in Central Luzon. (PNA)